Courtney Conlogue's Saquarema X-Factor

Proving yet again that she has tricks up her sleeve, Courtney Conlogue threw a high-risk, backside floater during her Round One heat today at Saquarema. The Californian was already leading when she paddled into the quick, punchy wave. But her maneuver, combined with a solid carve to wind it up, scored her a solid 8.67, solidifying her top spot over Nikki Van Dijk and Bronte Macaulay.

Conlogue is coming off of a win last month at the Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach. For the past two years, she has been a runner-up to the World Title, and appears to be getting her groove back for another campaign. This year she's working with a full-time coach for the first time, and recently said that she's "breaking down to build up." So far, the process seems to be working.